The Confucius Institute network has achieved remarkable growth this year, with the establishment of 15 new institutes and one Confucius Classroom across 14 countries, including Algeria and Guinea-Bissau. This expansion marks the first presence of Confucius Institutes in these two African nations, bringing the total number of institutes to 510 across 164 countries and regions as of October 31. The ceremonial awarding of plaques to 10 of these new institutions took place in Beijing during a sub-forum of the World Chinese Language Conference, celebrating the 21-year legacy of Confucius Institutes as a cornerstone of international Chinese education and cultural exchange. Assia Kaced, vice-rector of the University of Algiers 2, highlighted the growing demand for Chinese language learning in Algeria, driven by strengthened economic ties with China and the presence of major Chinese companies. She emphasized that the institute will not only enhance language skills but also foster mutual understanding and trust between Algerian and Chinese youth. In Kenya, the Confucius Institute at Egerton University has adopted an innovative model, integrating Chinese language education with agricultural technology transfer. The institute has established eight teaching points, enrolling nearly 3,000 students annually, and has conducted 45 training sessions for farmers, benefiting 2,413 individuals. Ren Youqun, China’s vice-minister of education, underscored the importance of improving teaching systems and exploring the use of artificial intelligence to enhance Chinese language education. He also stressed the need to align with the career development needs of trainees and the requirements of overseas Chinese enterprises. Duan Peng, president of Beijing Language and Culture University, highlighted the institute’s role in providing resources and support for young people passionate about Chinese language and culture, embodying the spirit of mutual learning and win-win cooperation.